write a memoir, though admitted making an attempt only for former taoiseach Charles Haughey to "put me off". He ominously expressed his disbelief that he had made it to his eightieth year — "I can't get used to the fact that I'm alive", he remarked, whilst reflecting on his previous near brush with death. O'Donovan died at the age of 80. Tributes came from people including Gate Theatre director Michael Colgan, veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne, and Tom Savage, who was RTÉ Authority chairman at the time of his death. References 1930 births 2010 deaths Irish theatre managers and producers Theatre people from Dublin (city) RTÉ executives People educated at St. Joseph's CBS, Fairview